For what purpose? Apples and oranges though some of these experts would say otherwise. http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=313332&page=3
:rolleyes:

No one can suggest one over the other without knowing what criteria need to be met.

mnrivrat

November 6, 2007, 01:11 PM

A lot of difference between these two calibers . I am going to assume this is your first gun or close to it, and voted for the .22LR . Everybody needs a .22 rifle for plinking, learning how to shoot with good trigger control, etc.

Ammo is cheap for the .22LR when compared to the .223 and there is no reason to use anything but the .22LR for small game and general plinking/having fun.

For that price you can buy a couple of good .22's or a realy nice one. I am not personaly familiar with them but many are talking about the CZ's . There are also a good many used & older .22 LR bolt action guns that show up on the market. Older Remington guns for example. Marlin also makes moderately prices bolts on todays market, so choices are many.

NOOk

November 6, 2007, 01:17 PM

Mossberg bolt action .22 to learn marksmanship. the 46B is my favorite and outshoots many tricked out 10/22s and annies.

sectional_density

November 6, 2007, 01:28 PM

Surprised nobody has mentioned this yet....how about both?

A Marlin .22lr for < $200 and a Stevens bolt action .223 for < $300?

jesse485

November 6, 2007, 02:07 PM

I have .22s by Marlin and Savage, and would recommend either make.

Slugless

November 6, 2007, 02:08 PM

I got a CZ Lux .22LR for about $300 a couple months ago. Very nice rifle, the action is a little stiff (a common complaint). I think it's a good value, way more accurate than I am.

YodaVader

November 6, 2007, 03:34 PM

What would be a good 22 lr rifle in BOLT ACTION for around $300-$400

Seems like plinking and 22lr are the perfect pair - I would look at one of the CZ452 versions - Trainer , Lux or American. The Trainer should fall well under the $300 mark. I bought one back in 2002 when they were still called the 452 Special and was only $189. The most accurate out of the box 22lr rifle I currently own.

If you are fairly new to rifles I would hold off on the .223 for now. For a "budget" .223 the Remington 700 SPS Varmint or Tactical would make nice choices , I just bought the 700 SPS Varmint last month. Also the Savage 12FV and 10FP are sure worth a look.

I also shoot a Savage 12BVSS and 700LTR - the LTR is my all time favorite but getting very expensive these days.

Jackal

November 6, 2007, 03:41 PM

The best rifle I have ever owned has been my faithful little Remington 510. Always accurate with the open sights, light, well balanced and foolproof. When given the option, I always seem to shoot this, instead of my 1968 Anschutz.

Eyesac

November 6, 2007, 03:56 PM

I have gotten more pleasure out of my .22s then any of my other rifles combined... A 223 is great and has it's place. In fact just Sunday I made a 5shot 5/8" group @ 100yrds w/ my 10/22 and can regularly shoot 1" groups. Imagine what you could do w/ a bolty! 22s are no slouch!

Bartkowski

November 6, 2007, 04:04 PM

$300-$400 would get you a very nice .22. I voted for .22lr because of the price of ammo, and you can get 2 quality .22's for the money you are willing to spend vs. one ok .223

tepin

November 6, 2007, 06:39 PM

Here is my new Savage .223 - Great gun! :)

http://www.savagearms.com/12PrecVarm.htm

doc2rn

November 6, 2007, 07:25 PM

I prefer my Ruger 77/22 in 22mag for plinking, I can shoot lollipops at 75-100 yds pretty amazingly.

rangerruck

November 6, 2007, 08:05 PM

the 22 is the touchstone of all plinking done ever.... especially with a boltie, as you can do short long and long rifle.

rangerruck

November 6, 2007, 08:08 PM

find a marlin mod 81 or 80 series, made from 1937 until presently.... the 81's are tube fed, and will hold 25 shorts at one time. used they are less than 100 bucks, the 981's are about 150 new, and their accuracy throughout the years has been extremely good. So get a new one, spend 30 to 100 on a scope, then buy 100 bucks worth of ammo, then pay for your range trip, targets , gas and food.
Have a fun filled day, and get it all , for the 400 bucks.

aspade

November 6, 2007, 08:30 PM

I got a CZ Lux .22LR for about $300 a couple months ago. Very nice rifle, the action is a little stiff (a common complaint).

Put a brick or two through it and it'll smooth right up.

hksw

November 6, 2007, 10:01 PM

No question, IMO. CZ 452/453.

Sagetown

November 6, 2007, 10:41 PM

:) The CZ 452 is a great little .22 for plinking. Here's what mine can do at 100 yards on cold blustery winter days. I did this with a sling in the prone position or sitting position, probably prone, can't remember.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc281/Sagetown/CZ452Sporter.jpg

dug this outa my old attache case the other day......
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc281/Sagetown/Feb191995.jpg

If you're getting a .223 why not pony up for an AR-15 since you have the option to swap out components to have different sorts of fun as your interests change.

I want this one. Probably overkill for a first gun, but I think it's sweet.

http://www.championshooters.com/64-MP-big.htm

-J.

Jackal

November 7, 2007, 12:11 AM

If you can manage, try to find an older Anschutz like mine, this Savage Anschutz MK10. With the Mueller scope, 5 shot 50 yard groups run minute of nail-head. Should be able to find these in the $350 range.